Passing on the Lantern of Christ’s Light

After 30 years in education and 12 years at the Helm of Our Lady of Kāpiti School, principal Martin Elms retired in April this year. Parents and staff, students and friends gathered to farewell Mr Elms at a Mass in St Patrick’s Hall at the school on 12 April followed by a morning tea. That evening a surprise ‘This is your Life’ event was held, again in St Patrick’s Hall.

Martin Elms became principal of Paraparaumu’s St Patrick’s School in 2006 and was heavily involved in the opening of the new Our Lady of Kāpiti School in 2017. Staff said Martin’s sense of humour, warmth and support have been among his special qualities.

In March, Ms Viv Conroy, was formally welcomed as the new principal and leader of the school faith community, along with her support party. They were greeted to a celebration with a stirring haka from the school’s 152 students in St Patrick’s School Hall.

Among Ms Conroy’s support group were two of three children, as well as Martin Hett principal of Kāpiti School, where Ms Conroy was previously deputy principal, and some of the staff and students.

Following a reading from the Gospel of Mark, a welcome from Isabel Carberry, Chair of OLOK Board of Trustees, and a waiāta from He Honere, Martin Hett described Ms Conroy as a treasured member of his staff. He said he was now handing that treasure over to OLOK to develop in her new principal’s position and that OLOK would flourish under her stewardship.

One of the students gave a history of the Presentation Sisters dating back 300 years and of Nano Nagle’s vision to bring the light of Christ to the world around us – symbolised by the Sisters’ Lantern.

Sr Regina represented the Presentation Sisters and together with Martin Elms handed the Lantern to Viv Conroy as she was invited to join her new staff.

Parish Priest Fr Michael McCabe gave a special blessing and proceedings concluded with the hymn, Our School this Special Place, summing up Our Lady of Kāpiti Primary School.

Ms Conroy spent the week at OLOK getting to know the children and staff and learning how the school operates before starting in her new role at the beginning of term two.